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Areas with water ways are ideal for ferry boat business. Cities
with huge population usually face the challenge of adequate transportation.

The huge population alongside overstretched
infrastructure equates to traffic gridlocks and difficult time management. Other
modes of transportation such as train services, commercial buses and light rail
are usually inadequate.

Smart investors interested in transport business could purchase
a ferry. Ferry boats are an effective way to beat traffic and reduce stress.

They a punctual and time management is much easier using
this mode of transportation. Commercial ferry boats are either government owned
or privately owned businesses. And the destination are predetermined and
controlled by sea transport authorities.

Different
Types of Ferries

Ferry boats are not exclusively used to transport
passengers from one location to another.’ Ferry’ is a generic name that
includes both human, animal and cargo transportation. Listed are some common
types used in the maritime industry.

Double
Ended Ferries-We have the double ended ferries were the
prow and stern are interchangeable. They remain constant despite the direction
the ferry travels.

Roll-on/roll-off
ferries are common to United Kingdom and effective cargo
vehicles. They are very dynamic and effective freight transporters. Another
type of ferry is the car boats.

Car
Boat Ferry is designed to accommodate cars and different types of
automobiles. They are common in the America and similar in function to roll-on
boats.

Channel
ferries are powerful vessels usually found on busy channels.
They are capable of going long distances depending on the operator’s
destination. Another unique ferry is the catamarans they are fast passenger
boats favored by private operators.

Types
of Ferries

Air Ferries

Cable

Train ferry

Pontoon

Turntable

Fast RoPax ferry

Cruise-ferry

Roll-on/roll-off

Catamaran

Canoe

Hovercraft

Hydrofoil

Double-ended

How Ferry
Boats Generate Income

Ferry boats generate income in four ways. The boat could
run a private chatter operation alongside its commercial venture.

A prospective client chatters the boat for a specified
duration and date. The primary income of commercial ferry boats are through ticket
sales.

However the boats owner could organize tourist tours
especially during holidays and weekend. They boat could even serve as an event
center for weddings, engagements and parties.

Passenger ferries generate income through the sale of
tickets. The tickets are graduated as one way tickets for adults, youths and
children under 5 when accompanied.

Other ticket holders are senior citizens, disabled,
school groups and short hop tickets. The price varies according to type of
ferry location, distance and country.

As a rule a ticket is only used on the route that were originally
purchased. Some ferries allow ticket transfer which attracts a discounted
transfer fee.

The usually practice is that passenger purchase tickets
at a ticketing office before docking or onboard the vessel. Common boarding
policy involves ticket confirmation before the trip.

Top players in the industry accept cash, POS credit/debit
card and online payments. And most fees are subject to change.

One-Way
Fares.

Fares very according to geographical location and
distance travelled.We have listed fees
based on ferry services along San Francisco Bay. Obviously the fees differ and
very from one operator to the next.

Travelers

Adults
$6.6-$6.9.

Adults with clip
cards $5.00-$5.20

Youths 5-18 $3.30-$3,40

Children under 5
accompanied FREE

School groups $2.20-$2,30

The
distances usually take short periods and the boats can accommodate large number
of people. Ferry service boats regularly make many scheduled trips per-day.

Common Guidelines for
Ferry Operations

The
guideline for ferry operators depends on the country of operation and services.
Ferry services most provide baggage security and are subject to federal inspections.
The ferry facility should be approved by the USCS before operation. Commercial
merchandize are to be declared especially if they are for export purposes.

You
need a ferry operational license and your captain should have maritime
experience and certification. Other agencies involved in maritime issues are
Marine Operational Services, Public Health services, Fish and Wildlife,
Immigration and Naturalization and Custom services.

Ferry Boat Business

Write
a ferry boat business plan and acquire/ lease appropriate terminal. You need a
boat and get all legal permits and licenses.

There
is a host of legalities such as boat registration, fire safety, passenger
safety, sea worthiness certificate and loads of permits. Hire a professional
conversant with maritime business to write the plan.

Another
major obstacle is funding the business. Ferry boat business is capital
intensive and very challenging.